Writing Playscripts

This KS2 English quiz will test you on writing playscripts. Playscripts are written versions of plays. Playscripts are fun to write, especially for those who enjoy writing dialogue. Telling the actors how to move, what to say and how to say it is especially enjoyable for those of us who like to be in charge.

Playscripts have several features which make them different from other types of writing. When writing a playscript, you'll need to think a little more carefully than when writing a story.

See how well you remember the rules for writing playscripts by trying this English writing quiz.

To see a larger image, click on the picture.

1.

Where would you look to find the names of all the characters in a play?

In a list before the first act.

In the title.

In an index.

In the glossary.

The list of characters used to be called the 'Dramatis Personae' (which just means 'the persons of a drama'). If the list includes the names of the actors playing each part, it is called the 'cast list'.

2.

The speech in a play is called the ____.

speech

dialogue

conversation

argument

If a character talks to himself or herself for a while, it is called a 'monologue'.

3.

Which of the following lines would be correctly punctuated for a playscript?

Francis says, 'Where are you going, Betty?'

Francis says: Where are you going, Betty?

Francis: 'Where are you going, Betty?'

Francis: Where are you going, Betty?

Speech marks are not used in playscripts.

4.

If a character needs to speak in a certain way, the instructions will be given in ____.

a larger font

bold

brackets

Italian

Unless the playscript is handwritten, these instructions will also be in italics, as well as brackets.